American Girl dolls began as a way to teach young girls history by showing historical events through a girl's eyes. Each doll is connected to a particular incident in history, and related books tell her story. The toy line now carries a full line of dolls, books and movies based around the dolls. There is also a line of contemporary dolls, called "Just Like You Dolls". The company has expanded to include retail stores called "American Girl Place", and a bimonthly magazine called "American Girl Magazine".

1. 2004: Samantha: An American Girl Holiday (WB)
2. 2005: Felicity: An American Girl Adventure (WB)
3. 2006: Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front (Disney Channel)
4. 2008: Kit Kittredge: An American Girl Mystery

In 1983, former schoolteacher Pleasant T. Rowland found a gap in the doll market; there were no dolls that represented preteen girls. Fusing her love of education with this perceived need, she created the first dolls in the American Girl line, produced by her organization, The Pleasant Company. The dolls became popular, the line expanded and eventually grew to encompass contemporary dolls. In 1998, the company was eventually acquired by Mattel. Since the acquisition, more emphasis has been placed on the modern dolls and less on the historical dolls.

1. Kaya'aton'my: 1764, Native American girl from Nez Perce tribe
2. Felicity Merriman: 1774, living in Williamsburg during the American Revolution
3. Elizabeth Cole: Felicity's best friend
4. Josefina Montoya: 1824, Mexican girl living in what is now New Mexico
5. Kirsten Larson: 1854, Swedish immigrant in Minnesota territory
6. Addy Walker: 1864, fugitive slave during the Civil War
7. Samantha Parkington: 1904, learning about suffrage and child labor
8. Nellie O'Malley: Samantha's best friend
9. Kit Kittredge: 1934, living through the Great Depression
10. Ruthie Smithens: Kit's best friend
11. Molly McIntire: 1944, World War II
12. Emily Bennett, Molly's best friend
13. Julie Albright: 1974, preserving endangered species and fighting for sports equality
14. Ivy Ling: Julie's best friend